Preparing mobile media content

ABSTRACT

A mobile device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor such that the processor is programmed to identify, based on user data a reference time. The processor is further programmed to send, via a human-machine interface included in the mobile device, a message to a user to input a user request to download a media content item prior to the reference time. The processor is further programmed to receive the user request to download the media content item and download the media content item from a media device.

BACKGROUND

Some locations lack access to networks such as the Internet. Users inthese locations may not be able to stream media content to their mobiledevices. Present media delivery systems are lacking with respect toproviding content to disconnected users. A further problem is thatcontent may not be in a format suitable for a mobile device.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary media system for preparing andtransferring media content from a media device to a remote device.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary time line for processing media content data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary process for authorizing a videoplayer on a mobile device to access a user data.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a diagram of an exemplary process for processinguser data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary process for transcoding mediacontent items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example System

An example mobile device includes a processor and a memory, the memorystoring instructions executable by the processor. The processor isprogrammed to identify, based on user data, a reference time. Theprocessor is further programmed to receive a user request to download amedia content item prior to the reference time, and download the mediacontent item from a media device.

In another example, identifying the reference time can includeprogramming to determine that the processor is authorized to access auser data store on the mobile device, and identify the reference timebased on data included in the user data store.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to determinethat the reference time is within a predetermined time period, and send,via a human-machine interface included in the mobile device, a messageto the user to input the user request to download the media contentitem.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to requestfrom the media device a list of available media content items, and send,via the human-machine interface, the list of available media contentitems.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to receivean input from the user via the human-machine interface selecting themedia content item from the list of available media content items.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to displaythe media content item.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to enablethe media device to transcode the media content item based on adetermination that the identified reference time is within apredetermined time period.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to send tothe media device a message including a time to initiate the transcodingof the media content item. The processor can be further programmed todetermine the time based on the reference time. The processor can stillfurther be programmed to request from the media device a list of mediacontent items available for transcoding, and send, via the human-machineinterface, the list of available media content items.

In an example, the list of media content items available for transcodingincludes a media content item scheduled for recording after receivingthe message, and before the time to initiate the transcoding.

In another example, the processor can be further programmed to determinethat the processor is authorized to download a media content item,determine that the reference time is within a predetermined time period,and download the media content item based on a determination that theprocessor is authorized to download the media content item, and furtherbased on a determination that the reference time is within apredetermined time period.

An example system includes a mobile device including a processor and amemory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor suchthat the processor is programmed to identify, based on user data areference time. The processor is further programmed to enable a mediadevice to transcode a media content item based on a determination thatthe identified reference time is within a predetermined time period. Theexample system further includes the media device including a secondprocessor and a second memory, the second memory storing secondinstructions executable by the second processor such that the secondprocessor is programmed to transcode the media content item.

In another example, the processor can be programmed to send to the mediadevice a message including a time to initiate the transcoding of themedia content item. The second processor can be further programmed torecord the media content item after receiving the message and before thetime and transcode the media content item.

An example method includes identifying, based on user data a referencetime. The example process further includes receiving a user request todownload a media content item prior to the reference time, anddownloading the media content item from a media device.

In another example, the method can further include determining that theprocessor is authorized to access a user data store on the mobiledevice, and identifying the reference time based on data included in theuser data store.

In another example, the process can further include determining that thereference time is within a predetermined time period, and sending, via ahuman-machine interface included in the mobile device, a message to theuser to input the user request to download the media content item.

In another example, the process can further include requesting from themedia device a list of available media content items, and sending, viathe human-machine interface, the list of available media content items.

In another example, the process can further include receiving an inputfrom the user via the human-machine interface selecting the mediacontent item from the list of available media content items.

In another example, the process can further include enabling the mediadevice to transcode the media content item based on a determination thatthe identified reference time is within a predetermined time period.

Further disclosed is a processor and a memory, the memory storinginstructions executable by the processor to execute any one of the abovemethod steps. Yet further disclosed is a mobile device including aprocessor and the memory.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a mobile device 22 may include a user datastore 60 that includes user data. The mobile device 22 is programmed toaccess the user data store 60, determine, based on data included in theuser data store 60, a reference time 70, i.e., a moment in timespecified for downloaded media content to be available on the user'smobile device 22, and message the user to download media content priorto the reference time 70. For example, the reference time 70 may be atime when the user intends to travel and/or intends to be in a locationwithout network access. A timeline illustrating the reference time 70and other related timing indicators appears in FIG. 2. The mobile device22 may further be programmed to communicate with a user media device 20such as a set-top box or DVR. Based on data maintained on the mediadevice 20, the mobile device 22 may identify media content itemsavailable for downloading and present a list of the available mediacontent items 34 to the user. Based on the list, the user may selectmedia content that the user would like to download from the media device20 to the mobile device 22.

The mobile device 22 may further be programmed to enable transcoding ofmedia content items on the media device 20. The mobile device 22 maystill further be programmed to initiate the download of media contentitems from the media device 20 to the mobile device 22 prior to thereference time 70.

An exemplary computer system 10 includes the media device 20, the mobiledevice 22, and a network 24. The media device 20 and mobile device 22are communicatively coupled via the network 24. Communicatively coupled,in the context of this disclosure, means being able to exchange digitaldata and digital instructions via wired and/or wireless communications.The system 10 may further include a mobile storage unit 26. The mobilestorage unit 26 may also be communicatively coupled with the mediadevice 20 and/or mobile device 22 via the network 24.

The media device 20 receives and displays media content, and includes acomputing device including one or more processors and one or morememories 32. The media device 20 may further include a human-machineinterface (HMI) 33. Non-limiting examples of the media device 20 includea set-top box, a laptop, desktop, tablet computer, game box, atelevision, etc. The media device 20 is programmed to performconventional media device operations such as receiving and displayingmedia content. For example, the media device 20 is programmed to receiveand record media content items 34 based on user input. Media contentitems 34 include format A media content items 34A that are formatted fordisplay by the media device 20 and format B media content items that areformatted for display by the mobile device 22. A data format is aspecification for storage of video and/or audio data, e.g., according toMPEG or some other standard for organizing and compressing video and/oraudio data. For example, the resolution of the format B media contentitem 34B may be reduced relative to the format A media content item 34Ato reduce the number of pixels required in order to be compatible withthe display on the mobile device 22.

The media device 20 transcodes the format A media content item 34A tothe format B media content item 34B to meet performance, displayresolutions, aspect ratios, memory space limitations, specific languagepreferences etc., of the mobile device 22. In some cases, transcodingfrom the format A media content item 34A to the format B media contentitem 34B may include transcoding from a first format type such as MPEG 1or 2, to a second format type, such as MPEG 4. In other cases, both theformat A media content item 34A and the format B media content item 34Bmay be the same format type (e.g., MPEG 1, MPEG 2, MPEG 4), butcharacteristics such as display resolutions, aspect ratios, etc. arechanged within the format to accommodate the mobile device 22.

The user may, e.g. via the HMI 33, input a request to the media device20 to regularly record a media content item 34, e.g., a 6:30 NewsReport. Based on the input, the media device 20 may receive and storemedia content item 34, e.g., the 6:30 News Report as a format A mediacontent item 34A in the memory 32 each evening. The media device 20 mayfurther be programmed to transcode format A media content items 34A toformat B media content items 34B. The user may further, e.g., via theHMI 33, pre-select current or future transfers of media content items 34to the mobile device 22 or mobile storage unit 26.

As described in additional detail below, the media device 20 may furtherbe programmed to receive instructions from the mobile device 22 andperform operations on the format A media content items 34A and format Bmedia content items 34B. As a first example, the media device 20 mayinitiate a transcoding of a format A media content item 34A to a formatB media content item based on instructions received from the mobiledevice 22. As another example, the media device 20 may transmit a formatB media content item 34B to the mobile device 22 based on instructionsreceived from the mobile device 22.

In some cases, the media device 20 may receive an instruction from themobile device 22 to perform an operation at a reference time 70. Forexample, the mobile device 22 may send an instruction to the mediadevice 20 to transcode all (or selected) format A media content items34A that are recorded following receipt of the instruction and beforethe reference time 70 to format B media content items 34B. In thismanner, the media device 20 can prepare the most recently recordedformat A media content items 34A for viewing on the mobile device 22that are available prior to the reference time 70.

The mobile device 22 may be a conventional portable computing devicesuch as a mobile telephone or tablet, and includes one or moreprocessors, one or more memories 42 and a human-machine interface (HMI)44. The processors are communicatively coupled to the memory 42 and HMI44.

The mobile device 22 includes one or more user applications including auser data store 60 and a video player 62. The user data store 60, videoplayer 62 and other applications may include instructions stored inmemory such as the memory 42. The user data store 60 may be one or moreapplications that include data related to the user, such as a calendaror email account. The user data store 60 could include, for example, adata store for a calendar application such as the calendar applicationin OUTLOOK from MICROSOFT® CORPORATION with headquarters in Redmond,Wash. An example of the video player 62 is DISH Anywhere® from DISHNETWORK L.L.C., with headquarters in Englewood, Colo.

The mobile device 22 is programmed, pending authorization from the user,to access the user data store 60, and determine a reference time 70 fora prior download of media content items 34 to the mobile device 22. Forexample, the mobile device 22 may identify keywords in the dataindicating an upcoming trip, or keywords indicating that the user willbe at a location that does not have network access, etc. The programmingto access the user data store 60 may be included, for example, in thevideo player 62. The mobile device 22 may access data in the user datastore 60 and, based on the data, determine a reference time 70 prior towhich a download is to be completed.

Based on the reference time 70, the mobile device 22 may initiate one ormore operations. For example, a first predetermined time period 72before the reference time 70, the mobile device 22 may message the user,e.g., via the HMI 44, to download media content items from the mediadevice 20. The first predetermined time period 72 is a time to remindthe user to download media content items 34 prior to an impendingreference time 70. The message to the user may include a list ofavailable media content items 34 for downloading.

As another example, a second predetermined time period 74 before thereference time 70, the mobile device 22 may send an instruction to themedia device 20, to transcode or to schedule the transcoding of one ormore format A media content items 34A to format B media content items34B. The second predetermined time period 74 is a time to prepare mediacontent items 34 for downloading prior to the reference time 70. Asanother example, a third predetermined time period 76 before thereference time 70, the mobile device 22 may request that the mediadevice 20 transmit the one or more media content items 34 (e.g., formatB media content items 34B) to the mobile device 22. The thirdpredetermined time period 76 may be a time to download media contentitems before the reference time 70.

The mobile device 22 may further be programmed to perform operationsbased on user input. For example, the video player 62 may be activatedupon receipt of a user input via the HMI 44. Via a graphical userinterface (GUI), the user may request a list of media content items 34available for downloading.

Based on the request, the mobile device 22 is programmed to send arequest to the media device 20, requesting a list of media content items34 that have been recorded and/or will be recorded in a specified time.The mobile device 22 may further receive the list of the media contentitems 34 from the media device 20.

Based on the list from the media device 20, the mobile device 22 maypresent a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user including the listof media content items available for downloading. The user may selectmedia content items for downloading by selecting, e.g., via atouchscreen, the media content items in the list. The mobile device 22may then send a request to the media device 20 to transcode, and/ordownload the selected media content items 34 to the mobile device 22.The term “media content” as used herein, refers to audio and/or videodata, e.g., in a format such as described below.

The media content is typically delivered as compressed audio and/orvideo data. For example, the data may be formatted according to knownstandards such as MPEG or H.264. MPEG refers to a set of standardsgenerally promulgated by the International StandardsOrganization/International Electrical Commission Moving Picture ExpertsGroup (MPEG). H.264 refers to a standard promulgated by theInternational Telecommunications Union (ITU). Accordingly, by way ofexample and not limitation, media content may be provided to the mediadevice 20, the mobile device 22 and/or the mobile storage unit 26 in aformat such as the MPEG-1, MPEG-2 or the H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced VideoCoding standards (AVC) (H.264 and MPEG-4 at present being consistent)and HEVC/H.265. As is known, MPEG and H.264 data include metadata,audio, and video components. Further, media content and advertisementcontent in the computer system 10 could alternatively or additionally beprovided according to some other standard or standards. For example,media content and advertisement content could be audio data formattedaccording to standards such as MPEG-2 Audio Layer III (MP3), AdvancedAudio Coding (AAC), etc.

The network 24 represents one or more mechanisms for providingcommunications, including the transfer of media content items 34,between the media device 20, the mobile device 22 and the mobile storageunit 26. Accordingly, the network 24 may be one or more of various wiredor wireless communication mechanisms, including any desired combinationof wired (e.g., cable and fiber) and/or wireless (e.g., cellular,wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) communicationmechanisms and any desired network topology (or topologies when multiplecommunication mechanisms are utilized). Exemplary communication networksinclude wireless communication networks, local area networks (LAN)and/or wide area networks (WAN), including the Internet, Bluetooth®,near-field communication (NFC), etc.

The mobile storage unit 26 is a conventional device to store andtransport media content items and includes one or more processors and amemory 52. The mobile storage unit 26 may be programmed to downloadmedia content items 34 from the media device 20 and store the mediacontent items 34 in the memory 52. The mobile storage unit 26 may, forexample, be programmed to synchronize, i.e., form a radio frequencycommunications link with the media device 20 and download media contentitems 34. Alternatively or additionally the mobile storage unit 26 maybe programmed to download the media content items 34 based on input fromthe user, or based on a message received from the mobile device 22 orfrom the media device 20.

The mobile storage unit 26 can be communicatively coupled to the mobiledevice 22 such that the media content items 34 stored on the mobilestorage unit 26 can be played (displayed) on the mobile device 22. Forexample, the mobile storage unit 26 may be programmed to communicatewith the mobile device 22 via a Wi-Fi® connection, or any other wired orwireless connection.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary time line illustrating a reference time 70,first, second and third predetermined time periods 72, 74, 76, a set-uptime 78 and a buffer period 80. As described above, the reference time70 is a time that may be specified for downloaded media content to beavailable on the user's mobile device 22. The first predetermined timeperiod 72 is a time to remind the user to download media content items34 prior to an impending reference time 70. The second predeterminedtime period 74 is a time to prepare media content items 34 fordownloading prior to the reference time 70. The third predetermined timeperiod 76 is a time to download media content items 34 before thereference time 70.

The set-up time 78 and buffer period 80 relate to the timing oftranscoding data by the media device 20 as discussed in the process 500below. The buffer period 80 is a time period, prior to the referencetime 70, when transcoding of format A media content items 34A to formatB media content items 34B is to be initiated. The set-up time 78 is thereference time 70 minus the buffer period 80.

The time line shown in FIG. 2 is only an example. The lengths of thefirst, second and third predetermined time periods 72, 74, 76 areindependent of each other. All of the first, second and thirdpredetermined time periods 72, 74, 76 may be the same. Alternatively,any one of the first, second and third predetermines time periods 72,74, 76 may be shorter or longer than any one of the other first, secondand third predetermined time periods 72, 74, 76.

Example Processes

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary process 300 for authorizing a videoplayer 62 on a mobile device 22 to access the user data store 60, notifythe user and/or prepare media content prior to a reference time 70. Theprocess 300 starts in a block 302.

In the block 302 the user activates the video player 62 in the mobiledevice 22. The process 300 continues in a block 304.

In the block 304, the mobile device 22 in the mobile device 22determines whether a trigger has occurred to set authorizations for thevideo player 62. The trigger is an event such as input received by themobile device 22, or a time of day to which the video player 62 isprogrammed to respond by initiating a process to set authorizations. Thetrigger may be, for example, a step in an installation process forinstalling the video player 62. Alternatively, the trigger event may bean input from the user requesting to set up authorizations for the videoplayer 62. The input from the user may be via a GUI presented to theuser by the video player 62. In the case that the mobile device 22 doesnot identify a trigger event, the process 300 continues in a block 306.Otherwise, the process continues in a block 308.

In the block 306, the mobile device 22 determines whether the videoplayer 62 is still active. Active, in this context, means that the videoplayer 62 continues to provide output to the HMI 44 and/or continues toreceive input from the HMI 44. In the case that the video player 62 isstill active, the process 300 continues in the block 304. Otherwise, theprocess 300 ends.

In the block 308, which follows the block 304, the mobile device 22requests authorizations from the user. The mobile device 22, based, forexample, on programming included in the video player 62, may present aGUI to the user via the HMI 44. The GUI may include a list of possibleauthorizations for the video player 62. The list may include, forexample:

-   -   (1) Authorization to collect data from the user data store 60;    -   (2) Authorization to notify the user an upcoming reference time        70 within a first predetermined time period 72;    -   (3) Authorization to enable transcoding of media content items        by the media device 20 within a second predetermined time period        74 of the reference time 70; and/or    -   (4) Authorization to download media content from the media        device 20 within a third predetermined time period 76 of the        reference time 70.

Additionally, the mobile device 22 may request that the user choosetimes for the first, second and third predetermined time periods 72, 74,76. For example, with regard to the first predetermined time period 72,the mobile device 22 may provide a set of options, such as (a) one day,(b) two days, (c) three days. The user may select the firstpredetermined time period 72 from the set of options. The mobile device22 may similarly provide sets of options for each of the secondpredetermined time period 74 and third predetermined time period 76.

The user may also select a buffer period 80. The buffer period 80 is atime period, prior to a reference time 70, when transcoding of format Amedia content items 34A to format B media content items 34B is to beinitiated prior to the reference time 70. In some cases, for example,the media device 20 may be programmed to continue to record mediacontent items 34 until a buffer period 80 before the reference time 70,and then begin transcoding.

Still further, the mobile device 22 may request that the user identifymedia content items 34 to be processed. For example, the mobile device22 may request a list from the media device 20 of media content itemsthat have been recorded, but not yet consumed. Additionally oralternatively, the mobile device 22 may request a list from the mediadevice 20 of media content items 34 that are scheduled to be recordedbetween now and a fourth predetermined time. The fourth predeterminedtime may be a time that ends before the reference time 70.

The mobile device 22 may present the list of media content items 34 tothe user, and the user may select the media content items 34 that theuser would like to have transcoded and/or downloaded to the mobiledevice 22. The process 300 continues in a block 310.

In the block 310, the mobile device 22 determines whether the userprovided one or more authorizations and/or additional inputs to thevideo player 62. In the case that the user provided inputs to the videoplayer 62, the process 300 continues in a block 312. Otherwise, theprocess 300 continues in the block 306.

In the block 312, the mobile device 22 stores the inputs from the user.For example, the mobile device 22 stores a list of one or moreoperations that user authorized. The mobile device 22 further storesinputs from the user specifying the first, second and thirdpredetermined time periods 72, 74, 76. The mobile device 22 furtherstores inputs from the user indicating media content items 34 the userselected for operations such as transcoding and downloading. The process300 continues in the block 306.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a diagram of an exemplary process 400 for processingdata prior to a reference time 70. The process 400 beings in a block402.

In the block 402, the mobile device 22 determines whether the user hasauthorized access to the user data store 60. For example, the user mayhave authorized access to the user data store 60 as describedreferencing the process 300 above. In the case that the user hasauthorized access to the user data store 60, the process 400 continuesin a block 404. Otherwise, the process 400 ends.

In the block 404, the mobile device 22 detects a trigger to check theuser data store 60 and prepare media content items 34 for the referencetime 70. The trigger may be, for example a time of day. The mobiledevice 22 may be programmed to review the data store 60 once per day,for example, at 7:00 pm. As another example, the trigger may be that theuser has completed making an entry to the user data store 60. When theuser completes the entry (e.g., exits the calendar), the mobile device22 may review the user data store 60 to see if the user entered dataindicating a reference time 70. As another example, the trigger may be arequest from the user that the mobile device 22 review the user datastore 60 and identify data indicating the reference time 70 that mayrequire the user to prepare media content items 34. In the case that notrigger is determined, the process 400 continues in the block 402. Inthe case that a trigger has occurred, the process 400 continues in ablock 408.

In the block 406, the mobile device 22 accesses the user data store 60.The mobile device 22 reviews entries in the user data store 60, todetermine whether and when the user will be travelling. For example, themobile device 22 may be programmed to recognize key words such asflight, hotel, locations (such as other cities), itinerary, etc. in theuser data store 60 that indicate whether and when the user istravelling. The process 400 continues in a block 408.

In the block 408, the mobile device 22 determines whether the referencetime 70 is within a first predetermined time period 72. The firstpredetermined time period 72 is a time to remind the user to downloadmedia content items 34 prior to the impending reference time 70. In thecase that the reference time 70 is within the first predetermined timeperiod 72, the process 400 continues in a block 325. Otherwise, theprocess 400 continues in a block 410.

In the block 410, the mobile device 22 determines whether the mobiledevice 22 is authorized to notify the user that the reference time 70 iswithin the first predetermined time period 72. The mobile device 22 mayhave received authorization from the user as described above withreference to the process 300. Additionally or alternatively, the mobiledevice 22 may be authorized by default to notify the user of animpending reference time 70, based on installation of the video player62, unless the user revokes the authorization, e.g., by input via theHMI 44. In the case that the mobile device 22 is authorized to notifythe user that the reference time 70 is within the first predeterminedtime period 72, the process 400 continues in a block 412. Otherwise, theprocess 400 continues in the block 416.

In the block 412, the mobile device 22 collects programming data fromthe media device 20. The mobile device 22 collects data identifying aset of one or more media content items 34 that are available fordownloading. The mobile device 22 may further collect data identifying aset of one or more media content items 34 that have been transcoded togenerate format B media content items 34B. The mobile device 22 mayfurther collect data indicating which media content items 34 arescheduled for recording between a current time and the pending referencetime 70. The process 400 continues in a block 414.

In the block 414, the mobile device 22 notifies the user, for examplevia the HMI 44, that a reference time 70 is within the firstpredetermined time period 72, and reminds the user to download mediacontent items 34. The user may, based on the notification, downloadmedia content items 34 from the media device 20 to the mobile device 22and/or to the mobile storage unit 26 at a time convenient to the user.

In addition to notifying the user of an impending reference time 70, themobile device 22 may request that the user identify media content items34 that the user would like to transcode in preparation and/or download.

For example, the mobile device 22 may present a list of media contentitems 34, currently stored on the media device 20, or which the mediadevice 20 is programmed to record. The user may select media contentitems 34 from the list of media content items 34 to be transcoded and/ordownloaded. As one example, the HMI 44 may include a touchscreendisplay. The mobile device 22 may display the list of media contentitems 34 on the touchscreen display, and the user may select the mediacontent items 34 for transcoding and/or downloading, by tapping on thenames. The process 400 continues in a block 416.

In the block 416, the mobile device 22 determines whether the referencetime 70 is within a second predetermined time period 74. The secondpredetermined time period 74 may be a time to prepare media contentitems 34 for downloading prior to the reference time 70. For example,the second predetermined time period 74 may be a time for the mediadevice 20 to transcode format A media content items 34A to format Bmedia content items 34B. The second predetermined time period 74 may beinput by the user, or may be a default value from the video player 62.

In the case that the mobile device 22 determines that the reference time70 is within the second predetermined time period 74, the process 400continues in a block 418. Otherwise, the process 400 continues in ablock 422.

In the block 418, the mobile device 22 determines if auto-transcoding isauthorized. The user may have provided input authorizingauto-transcoding as described in reference to the process 300.Additionally or alternatively, the video player 62 may include defaultauthorization for auto-transcoding. The mobile device 22 may transmitthe authorization to the media device 20. Still further, the mediadevice 20 may include default programming authorizing auto-transcodingupon receiving a request from the video player 62.

In the case that auto-transcoding is authorized, the process 400continues in a block 420. Otherwise, the process continues in a block422.

In the block 420, the mobile device 22 requests that the media device 20transcodes format A media content items 34A to generate format B mediacontent items 34B. The transcoding may include format A media contentitems 34A that the media device 20 has already (i.e., prior to thecurrent execution of process 400) stored. Additionally or alternatively,the transcoding may include format A media content items 34A that themedia device 20 stores following the current execution of process 400,but prior to the reference time 70.

The media device 20 can be programmed to transcode immediately format Amedia content items 34A that are already stored on the media device 20and/or to transcode format A media content items 34A that are receivedafter receiving the instruction and prior to the reference time 70. Forexample, the instruction from the mobile device 22 may include thereference time 70. The media device 20 may wait to transcode the formatA media content items 34A until a set-up time. The set-up time may be abuffer period 80 before the reference time 70. Initially, the mediadevice 20 may determine the set-up time equal the reference time 70minus the buffer period 80. As described above, the buffer period 80 maybe a time period input by the user, or it may be a default time period.The default buffer period 80 may be included in the video player 62, orincluded in the memory of the media device 20.

Further, the media device 20 may be programmed to transcode format Amedia content items 34A selected by the user. For example, as describedin reference to the block 414, the mobile device 22 may request that theuser select media content items 34, which may include format A mediacontent items 34A, for transcoding. The process 400 continues in a block334.

In the block 422, the mobile device 22 determines whether the referencetime 70 is within a third predetermined time period 76. The thirdpredetermined time period 76 may be a time for the mobile device 22 todownload media content items 34 from the media device 20. The thirdpredetermined time period 76 may be input by the user, or may be adefault value from the video player 62. In the case that the referencetime 70 is within the third predetermined time period 76, the process400 continues in a block 424. Otherwise, the process 400 ends.

In the block 424, the mobile device 22 determines if auto-downloading isauthorized. The user may have provided input authorizingauto-downloading, for example, in response to a request from the videoplayer 62 as described in reference to process 300. Additionally oralternatively, the video player 62 may include default authorization forauto-downloading. The mobile device 22 may transmit the authorizationfor auto-downloading to the media device 20. Still further, the mediadevice 20 may include default programming authorizing auto-downloadingupon receiving a request from the video player 62.

In the case that auto-downloading is authorized, the process 400continues in a block 426. Otherwise, the process 400 ends.

In the block 426, the mobile device 22 downloads media content items 34from the media device 20 to the mobile device 22. The process 400 ends.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process 500 for transcoding mediacontent items by a media device 20 based on input from the mobile device22 in the mobile device 22 or the mobile storage unit 26. The process500 starts in a block 502.

In the block 502, the media device 20 in the media device 20 receives amessage from the mobile device 22 or the mobile storage unit 26 totranscode media content items 34. The message may include a time for themedia device 20 to perform the transcoding. For example, the message mayspecify that the media device 20 perform the transcoding immediatelyupon receipt of the instruction. As another example, the message mayspecify that the media device 20 perform the transcoding at a set-uptime that occurs a buffer period 80 before the reference time 70.

Still further, the message may specify media content items 34 that theuser selected for transcoding. The process 500 continues in a block 504.

In the block 504, the media device 20 determines, based on the message,whether the media device 20 is to transcode the media content items 34immediately, or wait until a set-up time. In the case that the mediacontent items 34 are to be transcoded immediately, the process 500continues in a block 510. Otherwise, the process 500 continues in ablock 506.

In the block 506, the media device 20 continues to record selected mediacontent items 34. For example, as described above, the user may requestthat the media device 20 regularly record the ABC 6:30 News Report. Themedia device 20 may continue to record the ABC 6:30 News Report eachevening. The process 500 continues in a block 508.

In the block 508, the media device 20 determines whether an actual timeis greater than or equal to (i.e., at or after) a set-up time. Theset-up time may be a time identified by the media device 20 as a timewhen the media device 20 is to initiate transcoding in order to have themedia content items 34 available for downloading by the user. In thecase that the actual time is greater than or equal to the set-up time,the process 500 continues in a block 510. Otherwise, the process 500continues in a block 506.

In the block 510, the media device 20 in the media device 20 transcodesthe media content items 34. The media device 20 may transcode allavailable format A media content items 34A to format B media contentitems 34B. Alternatively, the media device 20 may transcode only mediacontent items 34 selected by the user. The process 500 continues in ablock 512.

In the block 512, the media device 20 stores the transcoded format Bmedia content items 34B in the memory 32 for future downloading to themobile device 22 or mobile storage unit 26. The process 500 ends.

The process descriptions above are exemplary and are not intended to belimiting. Operations described as being performed by the media device 20may be performed in part or in whole by the mobile device 22. Operationsdescribed as being performed by the mobile device 22 may be performed inpart or in whole by the media device 20. Any of the operations may beperformed as distributed programming divided between the media device 20and mobile device 22 of the mobile device 22. Still further, one or moreof the operations may be performed in part or in whole by the mobilestorage unit 26.

CONCLUSION

As used herein, the adverb “substantially” means that a shape,structure, measurement, quantity, time, etc. may deviate from an exactdescribed geometry, distance, measurement, quantity, time, etc., becauseof imperfections in materials, machining, manufacturing, etc.

The term “exemplary” is used herein in the sense of signifying anexample, e.g., a reference to an “exemplary widget” should be read assimply referring to an example of a widget.

Networked devices such as those discussed herein generally each includeinstructions executable by one or more networked devices such as thoseidentified above, and for carrying out blocks or steps of processesdescribed above. For example, process blocks discussed above may beembodied as computer-executable instructions.

Computer-executable instructions may be compiled or interpreted fromcomputer programs created using a variety of programming languagesand/or technologies, including, without limitation, and either alone orin combination, Java™, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, HTML,etc. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receivesinstructions, e.g., from a memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., andexecutes these instructions, thereby performing one or more processes,including one or more of the processes described herein. Suchinstructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using avariety of computer-readable media. A file in a networked device isgenerally a collection of data stored on a computer readable medium,such as a storage medium, a random-access memory, etc.

A computer-readable medium includes any medium that participates inproviding data (e.g., instructions), which may be read by a computer.Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to,non-volatile media, volatile media, etc. Non-volatile media include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatilemedia include dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which typicallyconstitutes a main memory. Common forms of computer-readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer canread.

In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate the same elements.Further, some or all of these elements could be changed. With regard tothe media, processes, systems, methods, etc. described herein, it shouldbe understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have beendescribed as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, suchprocesses could be practiced with the described steps performed in anorder other than the order described herein. It further should beunderstood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, thatother steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein couldbe omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein areprovided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and shouldin no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description isintended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments andapplications other than the examples provided would be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theinvention should be determined, not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that futuredevelopments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that thedisclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such futureembodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention iscapable of modification and variation and is limited only by thefollowing claims.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their plain andordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless anexplicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, useof the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be readto recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recitesan explicit limitation to the contrary.

I claim:
 1. A system comprising: a mobile device comprising a processorand a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by theprocessor such that the processor is programmed to: identify, based onuser data a reference time; enable a media device to transcode a mediacontent item based on a first determination that the identifiedreference time is within a predetermined time period; send the mediadevice a message including a time to initiate a transcoding of the mediacontent time; and the media device comprising a second processor and asecond memory, the second memory storing second instructions executableby the second processor such that the second processor is programmed to:record the media content item after receiving the message and before thetime; determine whether the identified reference time is within a set-uptime corresponding to the time necessary to transcode the media contentitem; continue recording the media content item based on a seconddetermination that the reference time is not within the set-up time; andstop recording and transcode the media content item based on a thirddetermination that the reference time is within the set-up time.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein identifying the reference time includesprogramming to: determine that the processor is authorized to access auser data store on the mobile device; and identify the reference timebased on data included in the user data store.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the processor is further programmed to: determine that thereference time is within a predetermined time period; and send a messageto the user based on the determination.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the processor is further programmed to: request from the mediadevice a list of available media content items; and send, via ahuman-machine interface, the list of available media content items. 5.The system of claim 4, wherein the processor is further programmed to:receive an input from the user via the human-machine interface selectingthe media content item from the list of available media content items.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmedto: display the media content item.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe processor is further programmed to: request from the media device alist of media content items available for transcoding; and send, via ahuman-machine interface, the list of available media content items. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein the list of media content items availablefor transcoding includes a second media content item scheduled forrecording after receiving the message, and before the time to initiatethe transcoding.